Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has responded to public backlash following a photo she shared with Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya during a five-day legislative retreat for Members of Parliament held at a luxury resort in Naivasha this week.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 28, Passaris addressed the controversy that erupted after she posted a celebratory image featuring herself alongside the youthful legislator, which quickly sparked debate on social media.
The photo, which appeared to have been taken at the Naivasha retreat venue, drew sharp criticism from Kenyans online, with many questioning the appropriateness of the image and the nature of the interaction between the two lawmakers.
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Amid the criticism, Passaris shared two additional images and clarified that the controversial photo was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
“Today is Data Protection Day. This image shows how easily reality can be manipulated. One version is AI-generated with Peter Salasya. One is real,” Passaris wrote.
“In today’s digital age, it’s becoming harder to tell the difference, which is why privacy, ethical data use, and responsible sharing matter more than ever.”
She went on to stress the importance of data protection, digital ethics, and stronger cyber laws, noting that Kenya’s cybercrime and data protection frameworks are essential in protecting citizens from digital harm.
Passaris urged Kenyans to verify information shared online, cautioning that “in 2026, seeing is no longer believing.”
Despite her explanation, the clarification did little to calm public criticism, with many Kenyans expressing disappointment and maintaining that the image portrayed an inappropriate relationship between the two legislators.
In the photo shared for clarification, the two MPs appear close, with Salasya’s hand seen holding Passaris in what critics described as an overly intimate gesture.
Several social media users condemned the image, with one commenting, “This is not parliamentary. Shameful act,” while another described the interaction as “unparliamentary,” echoing sentiments shared by many online.
By the time of publication, MP Peter Salasya had not publicly commented on the matter.